Do You Or Someone you Know Have Graves’ Disease?

This post is sponsored by Horizon Therapeutics, but all thoughts and opinions and opinions are my own.

November 14 marks the start of the second annual Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) Awareness Week, taking place this week.

I’ve partnered with Horizon Therapeutics on its Listen to Your Eyes campaign to shine a light on the signs and symptoms of TED to help people, especially those living with Graves’ disease, more quickly IdentifEYE TED and get the care they need. The issue became important to me when my mom was diagnosed with Graves’ disease – which is an autoimmune disease that causes hyperthyroidism. It was a challenge to get the diagnosis and while we waited, she was getting worse. Now that we have the diagnosis, we’ve been learning a lot about the disease and associated conditions like TED.

symptons of graves disease

Thankfully, my mom has an amazing endocrinologist. Recently we learned, if you have Graves’ disease, it’s important to also pay close attention to your eyes. That’s because up to 50% of people with Graves’ disease may develop TED – a separate, but related, autoimmune disease that causes symptoms including eye bulging, double vision and debilitating pain. If not treated early, TED can cause serious damage to vision and appearance of the eyes. Many people assume that eye symptoms like grittiness, redness or dryness are just part of Graves’ disease, but they are actually symptoms of TED and require different treatment.

thyroid eye disease

If not treated early, TED can cause serious damage to vision and appearance of the eyes. Many people assume that eye symptoms like grittiness, redness or dryness are just part of Graves’ disease, but they are actually symptoms of TED and require different treatment. If you or someone you love has Graves’ disease, pay attention to any eye symptoms. 

thyroid eye disease

If you notice changes in your eyes, like bulging, light sensitivity and pain, report them to a TED Specialist – such as an oculoplastic surgeon or neuro-ophthalmologist. To find a nearby TED Specialist and other resources, visit www.FOCUSonTED.com.

Do you or someone you know suffer from Graves’ Disease? If so, share your experience below!

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